DBKU to launch Agenda 2014 at Esplanade <b>Kuching</b> this Friday <b>...</b> |
- DBKU to launch Agenda 2014 at Esplanade <b>Kuching</b> this Friday <b>...</b>
- AirAsia to fly thrice weekly from <b>Kuching</b> to Kota Bahru – BorneoPost <b>...</b>
- Manila to <b>Kuching</b> route in the works, says AirAsia's Yabut <b>...</b>
- Celebrating Thaipusam in <b>Kuching</b> | The Borneo Post SEEDS by <b>...</b>
- <b>KUCHING</b>, Malaysia: Jais raid is treason, Najib - VirtueOnline
- 225 swimmers for 26th <b>Kuching</b> Age Group Swimming Championship
| DBKU to launch Agenda 2014 at Esplanade <b>Kuching</b> this Friday <b>...</b> Posted: 21 Jan 2014 09:20 AM PST KUCHING: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Agenda 2014 launching ceremony will start at 9am this Friday (Jan 24) at Esplanade Kuching. A press statement said the public are invited to the activities over three days such as street soccer and coconut bowling on Friday at 2pm, as well as the DBKU Agenda Concert 2014 featuring popular 80s singer Salwa Abdul Rahman at 8.30pm. There will also be performances by Iban, Chinese and Malay singers including Bob Yusof of Akademi Fantasia fame, dances by the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) and a fireworks display. On Saturday (Jan 25), there will be recreational activities such as cupcake decoration, flower arrangement competition, chess competition, 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) competition and DBKU Double Open Darts Championship from 9am. A blood donation drive will be held on the same day from 8am to 5pm. Meanwhile, the DBKU Agenda Fun Ride 2014 and Instant Noodles Cooking Competition will be held at 7am and 8am respectively on Sunday (Jan 26). Throughout the three days, visitors will be able to drop by numerous booths, Food Bonanza as well as Government and Corporate Agencies Expo at Esplanade Kuching. Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is scheduled to officiate at the event.  To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.  |
| AirAsia to fly thrice weekly from <b>Kuching</b> to Kota Bahru – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Posted: 20 Jan 2014 09:55 AM PST KUCHING: AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia) officially announced the introduction of direct flights from Kuching to Kota Bharu, Kelantan's state capital. The three times a week flights will commence on March 22 onwards, making it AirAsia's eighth domestic route from Kuching and also giving the airline the distinction of the sole airline to connect Kuching directly to the East Coast of Peninsular. In conjunction with this, AirAsia are giving away free seats which are available for booking online at www.airasia.com starting yesterday until Feb 2. Guests will only need to pay for the applicable taxes and fees from RM29 one way. The travel period for these free seats will be from the commencement of the inaugural flight on March 22 until January 31 next year. AirAsia's head of commercial, Kenny Wong, said the flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Kuching at 7am and arriving at Kota Bharu at 8.55am, while vice-versa flights from Kota Bharu will depart at 9.20am and arrive back in Kuching at 11.20am. "AirAsia is committed towards connecting communities, especially bridging the gap between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia. "We recently launched the Kota Kinabalu–Kota Bharu direct flights last November, and the response has been overwhelming. "This shows that there is a pent-up demand to connect both Sabah and Sarawak directly to the East Coast of the peninsula, and we are proud to announce this new route from Kuching directly to Kota Bharu, which we expect to receive the same overwhelming response," he said With Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY2014) now going on, he also expressed optimism this new direct route will provide the best opportunity for international tourists from either end to further discover the various attractions that Malaysia has to offer. "With just a short flight, they will be able to experience the diverse cultures, cuisines and warmth of Malaysians; and AirAsia is proud to be the sole airline to operate this route, further contributing towards the efforts of VMY2014," added Wong. AirAsia already connects Kuching to the north of Peninsular with direct flights to Penang, and to the south as well with direct flights to Johor Bahru. The airline was also proud to state that it connects both East Malaysia and Peninsular with 427 flights weekly, and offers the best connectivity within East Malaysia as well. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Manila to <b>Kuching</b> route in the works, says AirAsia's Yabut <b>...</b> Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:20 AM PST by Ronnie Teo ronnieteo@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 20, 2014, Monday KUCHING: AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia) is looking to establish direct flights between Kuching and Manila in the near future in a bid to increase connectivity between Malaysia and the Philippines. This follows its Miri-Manila route which has seen a strong take-up rate since it was formed in December last year, reveals Apprentice Asia winner Jonathan Yabut. Yabut is currently AirAsia's chief of staff under a one-year contract with Malaysian business mogul Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, a position which was awarded to him for winning the hit reality TV show; The Apprentice Asia. "The role that Tony (Fernandes) has given me is marketing. I've always been into marketing anyway, so I'm trying to leverage on my strengths," Yabut said in a recent exclusive interview with The Borneo Post. "A lot of the work which he has given me is to build up the crowd for AirAsia for the Philippines. The Philippines is the youngest member of the AirAsia family; it was only launched in 2012," he added. "So, we're trying to build this network." One such way, he said, was to increase its connectivity with Malaysia, particularly East Malaysia. Currently, AirAsia has routes connecting Kota Kinabalu to Manila as well as to Cebu in the Philippines. Kuala Lumpur is also connected to Philippines via Manila and Cebu, Yabut said, adding that Kuching will hopefully join the map soon. "Miri is not only the gateway to Sarawak but also to Brunei," he explained. "And us being low cost, there's more options for travel between Sarawak and the Philippines. "Logically speaking, it makes sense to build a capital city-to-capital city route. There's business transactions between both, and cargo as well. "Not only is Kuching one of the many destinations Filipinos come for tourism, but it also a good market for work for Filipinos." However, Yabut opined that Philippines is a very challenging market to penetrate as it is already heavily saturated. He referred to Cebu Air announcing the acquisition of Tiger Airways (Tigerair) Philippines for US$15 million as part of a strategic alliance forged with Singapore's Tigerair for codeshare and interline arrangements. This is second case of consolidation in less than a year after AirAsia bought 49 per cent of Zest Airways in March 2013. "It is a scary thought because mergers and acquisitions are not uncommon. That's how it usually is," he explained. "But we're fighting hard because we believe it is an underserved market in the Asean region and Tony (Fernandes) has done so much for it." Yabut went on to highlight AirAsia's efforts to connect all of its routes via Fly-Thru, a process of transferring from one flight to another without the hassle of going through immigration processing, and of having to collect baggage when you are taking two different flights to get to your final destination and stopping over at a transit station. "We want that in all routes – it is only availble for selected routes now. Our dream by 2020, or 2018, is for all 380 destinations of AirAsia to be connected in this aspect." To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| Celebrating Thaipusam in <b>Kuching</b> | The Borneo Post SEEDS by <b>...</b> Posted: 19 Jan 2014 02:00 PM PST Monday, 20 Jan 2014 Focus 83 By Patricia Hului @pattbpseedsKUCHING: The rain did not dampen the Thaipusam celebration in Kuching as hundreds of Hindu devotees gathered at Satok Bridge before starting the procession along Jalan Satok to Jalan Kulas, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Jalan Budaya, Park Lane, Jalan Tabuan and ending at the Sri Srinivasagar Kailamman Temple.  THROUGH RAIN: Some of the devotees enduring the rain during Thaipusam January 17. After two years of not celebrating Thaipusam here due to extensive renovation work at the temple, the celebration has even drawn bystanders to slow down and take photos. Thaipusam is celebrated in January or February annually, in the Tamil month of Thai when the moon is full. The word 'Thaipusam' derived from 'Thai' means '10th' and 'pusam' means 'when the moon is at its brightest'. It marks the day Lord Shiva's son, Lord Murugan was given a lance by his mother, the Goddess Parvati, to defeat demons. The day is celebrated as an annual procession by Hindu devotees asking for blessings, fulfilling vows and giving thanks to Lord Murugan. The fact it's not a public holiday in Sarawak did not deter the Hindu community from celebrating Thaipusam as people from all walks of life came together to celebrate on January 17. Devotees carried a 'kavadi' which consists of two semi-circular pieces of wood bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the devotees.  KAVADI: Usually, the Kavadi are decorated with flowers, pictures of the deities and peacock feathers. Some devotees also carry Pal Kavadi or a brass jug of milk as an offering to their deity. Devotees carrying the kavadi were wearing yellow or orange as these are Lord Murugan's favourite colours.  PAL KAVADI: A devotee wearing yellow pours milk into a brass jug before the procession.  FERVENT: Piercing of the skin as an example act of devotion to Lord Murugan.  DEVOTION TO LORD MURUGAN: A devotee pulls a chariot fastened to metal hooks in the skin of his back. Thaipusam and Deepavali are not public holidays in Sarawak, which makes the Indian communities in the state yearn for recognition. According to last census in 2010 by Department of Statistics Malaysia, there are 4,049 Hindus here in Sarawak. |
| <b>KUCHING</b>, Malaysia: Jais raid is treason, Najib - VirtueOnline Posted: 10 Jan 2014 02:20 PM PST KUCHING, Malaysia: Jais raid is treason, Najib By William Mangor
The latest raid on the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) and seizure of Al-Kitabs meant for Borneo has raised questions over Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's actual powers and authority. Holding to the 10-point solution promise by Najib to Borneo Christians back in April 2011 and reiterated following the contentious Court of Appeal ruling on the Allah term, Southeast Asia's Anglican Archbishop Bolly Lapok said Thursday's raid by the Selangor Religious Department (Jais) was "treason". He said Jais had shown no respect for Najib's 10-point solution assurance to Christians in Borneo and the federal constitution. "If an action assumes such arrogance that violates the Federal Constitution and pays total disregard to the Prime Minister, is it not treason? "The word 'Allah' is poisoning our fledging inter-religious harmony and fracturing the fabric of our plural society," he said. In April 2011 the Federal Cabinet issued a 10-point solution to address the Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia Bible and other related issues. The document was signed by Najib and was accepted by Borneo Christians as the stamp of authority. Najib further reiterated assurances that the contentious Oct 14 Court of Appeal ruling on the Herald 's use of the Allah term in its Malay publications had no bearing on Christians in Borneo. The Court of Appeal decision over-ruled a December 2009 verdict favouring The Herald. The decision saw raging anti-Christian sentiments including arson against churches in the early days of January 2010. Najib's reassurances post Oct 14 ruling came against widely held views that the "flawed" ruling would not only apply to the contents of the Herald but that Muslim religious authorities "would use the Herald judgment to extend their insidious and strangling tentacles over other aspects of Christian and non- Muslim practices." The Jan 2 raid by Jais appears to have confirmed these fears. Said Lapok: "How Jais had the audacity to do what it did to Bible Society Malaysia which resulted in the arrest of its two officials, seizure of 320 copies of Al-Kitab and 10 copies of 'Bup Kudus' is baffling?" "Islamic authorities do not have the authority in law to enter the premises of non- Muslim religious establishments for inspection, search, or raid. "Respect, honour and abide by the religious freedom that are guaranteed under Federal Constitution and which was agreed to when Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya to form Malaysia Federation in 1963." Reprimand Jais Meanwhile Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, who is also Ba Kelalan assemblyman has called for action against Jais. "If Jais is allowed to escape any consequence for this illegal and brutal action, it will embolden other Islamic authorities to embark similar fanatical orgies of Christian harassment and persecution. "This raid and seizure was a clear breach of the 10-point solution that the PM promised." "What excuse are they going to offer us this time? The Bibles seized, including the Iban Bibles, confirmed to the requirements set out in the point signed by Najib himself. "What justification was there for the raid?" he asked. Baru also expessed his concern about the planned demonstrations tomorrow by Umno Selangor and Muslim groups in the peninsular. "The demo are potentially dangerous and explosive. As Prime Minister, Najib must not allow groups of extremists to harass people who will be performing their religious obligations, as they are entitled under Federal Constitution," he said. END |
| 225 swimmers for 26th <b>Kuching</b> Age Group Swimming Championship Posted: 17 Jan 2014 10:49 AM PST by Ting Tieng Hee, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 18, 2014, Saturday KUCHING: The 26th Kuching Age Group Swimming Championship this weekend at the Centre of Excellence for Aquatics, Youth and Sports Complex along Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce will see a record participation of 225 swimmers from 34 primary and secondary schools. Kuching Amateur Swimming Association (Kasa) 2010 secretary Sylvia Lau said yesterday that there was an increase of 30 swimmers when compared to 195 swimmers from 24 schools in Kuching and Kota Samarahan last year. "For the f irst time in the championship's history, all the 152 events will be competed. We received 1,095 entries for the events," she told the Borneo Post. According to Sylvia, the biggest team from the primary school section were defending champions SJK Chung Hua No. 2 who fi elded 27 swimmers while the biggest team in the secondary school section were Lodge School who are sending 24 swimmers. T h e s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l defending champions are SMK Batu Lintang whose challenge will be spearheaded again by Sukma swimmer Angela Chieng Chui Fei. "This event is part of Kasa's annual activities which is also aimed at assessing the progress of the swimmers especially those in the younger age groups," said Sylvia. Lau said the disciplines to be competed are freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterf ly and individual medley. "The freestyle will include 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m while the breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly will involve 50m, 100m and 200m," she added. Apart from that the events organised a r e r e l a y f o r 4 x 1 0 0 m f r e e s t y l e , 4x100m individual medley and 4x50m individual medley for Group 4 and 5. "Those who meet the qualifying times set by Kasa will represent Kuching at the 41st Sarawak Age Group Swimming Championship at Bukit Lima Swimming Pool in Sibu from Feb 21-13," added Lau. Today's events will start at 8am and expected to end at around 5pm. Kasa 2010 president Dato Wee Hong Seng will close the event tomorrow and give away all the trophies to the best boys and girls swimmers a s we l l a s t he ove r a l l champions for primary and secondary school categories. To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
"If Jais is allowed to escape any consequence for this illegal action, it will embolden other Islamic authorities to embark similar fanatical orgies of Christian harassment and persecution," said assemblyman Baru Bian| You are subscribed to email updates from kuching - Google Blog Search To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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